Summer is around the corner and it is the season for berries. Berries are not only delicious but they are a great source of antioxidants and are anti-inflammatory. Brightly-colored fruit and vegetables are full of flavonoids, which are natural antioxidants. Antioxidants are important in preventing damage from free radicals—which damage cells in the body—in the body and the environment. Research has shown that free radicals and inflammation are the cause of most major diseases such as cancer, heart disease, diabetes, among other diseases.

Raspberries are a great source of fiber, and are full of essential vitamins and minerals. They are rich in vitamin C, an antioxidant, and vitamin K, which is essential for strong bones. Along with strawberries, raspberries are rich in ellagic acid, which has shown to prevent the growth of tumors.

Strawberries are a great source of antioxidants which have been shown to prevent cancer and have compounds which also help prevent memory loss.

Make sure you buy organic berries because conventially-grown berries are high in pesticides.

This month, I would like to emphasize the importance of taking time to nourish your body and mind. If we don’t take time to nourish ourselves, we are unable to nourish others. Food is not just meant as a source of physical energy, but also a source of emotional nourishment. If we don’t take time to nourish our bodies, we also fail to nourish our soul. Therefore, it is important to sit down for meals every day. It is also important to take time to rest and meditate on a daily basis, even if only for 20 minutes. This enables us to reconnect with ourselves and become present with our experiences, which brings about more calm and peace of mind.

Sometimes, it helps to listen to meditation CDs. Some CDs I like are:

Guided Meditation —Jack Kornfield

Deep Relaxation: Guided Yoga Nidra —Jennifer Reis

The Art of Mindful Living —Thich Nhat Hanh

“We could say that meditation doesn't have a reason or doesn't have a purpose. In this respect it's unlike almost all other things we do except perhaps making music and dancing. When we make music we don't do it in order to reach a certain point, such as the end of the composition. If that were the purpose of music then obviously the fastest players would be the best. Also, when we are dancing we are not aiming to arrive at a particular place on the floor as in a journey. When we dance, the journey itself is the point, as when we play music the playing itself is the point. And exactly the same thing is true in meditation. Meditation is the discovery that the point of life is always arrived at in the immediate moment.” —Alan Watts

Summer Thai Menu

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Summer Indian Menu

I am the mother of four daughters and a Certified Health Counselor, as well as a passionate advocate of organic and local food and a healthy lifestyle. I decided to become a health counselor to fulfill my passion of working with children and parents to improve their health and family life. Learn more about me at healthytiffin.net/about.html